Confecção de prótese em material sintético para proteção de tecidos moles após fratura de carapaça em jabuti-piranga (Chelonoidis carbonaria): Relato de caso

Abstract

Hoof and plastron fractures are listed as the most common traumatic changes found in the chelonian clinic and are usually caused due to the bite of predators such as dogs and cats, falls, being run over by cars and accidents with lawn mower blades and boat propellers , in the case of aquatic Testudines. The use of epoxy and polyester resins, acrylic resin, fiberglass mat and techniques such as fixing screws associated with surgical threads can be used to correct hoof fractures in these reptiles. The present work presented the construction of a prosthesis composed of self-curing acrylic resin of methylmethacrylate and fiberglass to protect soft tissues exposed after trauma to the carapace in a free-living piranga tortoise (Chelonoidis carbonaria) specimen, whose prognosis was unfavorable. After placement of the prosthesis, the animal was active, ingesting food and water, and showed no discomfort caused by the presence of the material.